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Another PTC Classic for the Record Books

This year’s Peachtree City Classic was marked by a couple of firsts that club President George Martin said will make the event even better in the coming years. The first initiative was the Fitness Corporate Challenge. The was established to encourage companies and businesses in the PTC area to get their employees to take part in the Classic as a means to promote fitness, camaraderie, and esprit de corps as well as a little friendly competition against their peers in the business world.

Nine local companies and organizations were recognized at the Peachtree City Recreation Commission Monday night as the “Most Fit” organizations in the area. Company representatives accepted their kudos at the monthly meeting of the Commission where they were awarded plaques from the Peachtree City Running Club. These companies had the highest percentage of the workforce of all of the companies represented in this weekend’s 23rd annual Peachtree City Classic Road Race.

The organizations and team captains honored were Piedmont Physicians Group (Jennifer Allen); Frank Cawood & Associates (Rene Flaherty); Hoshizaki America (Bill Anderson); Oak Grove Elementary School (Bonnie Hancock); Booth Middle School (Beth Ryan); Sandy Creek High School (Marsha Cishanski); Fayette Community Hospital (Andrea Swartz); The City of Peachtree City (Sherry McHugh); and Ft. McPherson Army Team (Sue Bozgoz).

The second initiative was a Kid’s Marathon. This is part of the school support program that the Running Club began in the local elementary schools this fall. Since the beginning of the school year, students have been encouraged to run every day and log their distance. Those who achieved the goal of a total of 25 miles were invited to participate in the final event at the classic Saturday morning. They ran 1.2 miles giving them a total of 26.2 miles, the equivalent of the full marathon distance whereupon they were awarded with a medal recognizing their achievement and fitness.

Over 2,400 registrants were greeted with made-to-order ideal weather conditions for the 23rd annual Peachtree City Classic race itself. Gorgeous blue skies, and crisp fall temps in the 50’s greeted the runners and walkers as they took part in one of three races held Ð the Men’s 5k, the Women’s 5k, and the Open 15K. “It was the icing on the cake and the culmination of the work of literally hundreds of volunteers to make this such a success. They did all the work,” said Race Director Rose Kempton.

In the Men’s 5K, last year’s winner, Ryan Emery, easily won it again in 15:56. The 24-year-old Peachtree City native and former Auburn track and cross country standout coasted in the last mile as he was saving himself to double up in the 15K. Close behind in 16:14 was 26-year-old Army Staff Sergeant Charles Robitaille running as part of the 40 person strong Ft McPherson contingent. Close on his heels in 16:15 was Amare Grure, also 26, of Stone Mountain. First Master and fourth overall was another PTC native, Brian Jaeger, in 16:29.

In the Women’s 5K, masters women took two out of the top three slots. Connie Robertson, 42, of Hapeville, cruised to first place in 18:38. Jennifer Woods, 28, was almost a minute and a half behind in 20:03 for second place, and Doreen Branch, 44, took third in 20:19. First place in the Masters Division was Debbie King, 44, of Fayetteville in 24:53.

The 15K race started off with a pack of four who ran together the first few miles and then started to split apart around the four-mile mark. At the finish, it was a newcomer to the race who took first over all Ð Tim Tataska, 24 of Atlanta in 49:53, a 5:22 minute per mile pace. Second was Atlanta perennial top finisher and last year’s winner, Mike Strickland in 50:13. Third place was Eric Putnam, 46, of Calhoun in 52:38. Emery, who had won the 5K just minutes before starting the 15K, hung on for fourth overall in 51:57. Aaron Walter, 40, of Ft McPherson, was fifth overall and first place Master in 56:14. Another notable performance was Clarence Hartley, 75, of Young Harris, who destroyed the five year old Georgia state age group record at this distance by over 33 minutes with a time of 1:16.

The women’s 15K was a hard fought contest as well. In the end it was Genie Beaver, 32, of Atlanta who crossed the line first in 59:52. Second was Sarah Byrd, 24, also of Atlanta, in 1:02:21. Third was Christina Evans, 32, of Woodstock, in 1:03:54. Fourth overall and first place Master was Barbara Chandler, 41, of Atlanta in 1:04:07.

Complete results are available at www.ptcrc.com and photos at normer.com/photo.html